Wednesday, July 03, 2013

Mormons Building Bridges to Nowhere

In Utah, one of the most visible local manifestations of homosexual activism seems to be the staging of the annual "Pride" demonstration.

One group advocating for their own exclusive community refers to themselves as "Mormons Building Bridges". In this instance, the label is intentionally misleading, since the hallmark characteristic of the group appears to be a concerted effort to impose protective walls of separation around certain groups of more sensitive people.

The fact that this group chooses to stage their demonstrations within view of the temple in Salt Lake City seems particularly aimed to promote derision for the Mormon Church.

It seems intended to be the homosexual advocates answer to the popular annual Pioneer Day celebration staged in the same location on a different day.

The name some members of this group have chosen to identify themselves is particularly ironic. Rather than building any effective social "bridges", they seem to advocate from the perspective of people who have wilfully alienated themselves from the Mormon Church and Mormon teaching. In this they effectively act to tear down any existing "bridges" that might exist, apparently anticipating that the entire Mormon community will somehow transform themselves, and concede to demands for "reform" and revision that would serve to accommodate homosexual advocacy groups. In a social niche that publicly and vociferously advocates for what they prefer to characterize as "choice", what they seem to be seeking is suspension of any resulting consequences for choosing to engage in deviant behavior, in violation of rules and moral standards which Mormon culture teaches and believes.

Also ironic are attempts some members of these special interests have made to characterize homosexual behavior as "normal" or "natural". The effort seems to promote a sort of cognitive dissonance, with "normal" but uniquely colorful figures participating in a public pageant that seems intended to accentuate their differences.

Those whose "kindness" causes them to wink at sin are not being kind at all, for the only
hope of joy that these people have is to recognize their sin and repent of it. True kindness is to be
ever courteous and warm toward individuals, while confronting them always with our rejection of
any argument justifying their self-gratification. (Orson Scott Card, "The Hypocrites of Homosexuality").

"Pride" is yet another term that has been coopted by homosexual groups. The word used to mean something specific, but now it has become rather exclusively associated with flagrant demonstrations that tend to characterize people focused on the promotion and normalization of homosexuality.

A number of other formerly useful terms are now employed in specifically nuanced ways to obscure all the real implications of homosexual behavior. One of the most commonly used words that is now used in this context is "equality".

Ironically, in this context the term connotes almost the opposite of the original meaning. What the group is advocating for basically constitutes special pleading to justify exclusive treatment and a unique set of social rules for a specific group of minority interests.

Members of the group appear to find satisfaction in expressions of contempt for Mormon culture and community. For example, the effigy figure of a former Mormon political candidate displayed in juxtaposition with promoting a locally popular black-humor satire intended to ridicule local Mormon culture and customs.

One of the common charges such groups level at the Mormon Church is that repressive rules tend to increase stress and depression among those that even bother worrying about trivial things like God's commandments. In the groups of interest this supposedly results in high rates of abuse for prescription drugs such as Prozac, and even in increased incidence of suicide in some communities. It is particularly to be deplored if any member of the homosexual community or the feminists might feel depressed or inclined to suicide.

This display of compassion seems to be reserved for sufferers in the fringe interest groups, however. It appears to be one of those ideas that can be expressed by a slogan on a protest placard or even a tee-shirt. Purported "studies" of increased problems experienced by Mormon women or would-be Mormon homosexuals never seem to notice that just about everyone encounters similar challenges, apparently whether they be Mormon or not.

9 comments:

A few years ago, I read a quote from President Marion G. Romney's father in relation to his missionary service, "...we would rather come to this station and take your body off the train in a casket than to have you come home unclean, having lost your virtue."

I genuinely believed that because I am gay, that I had already lost my virtue, and that it would be more pleasing to God to die worthily, than to live a life as a lesbian... practicing or not.

In the words of Elder Quentin L. Cook, “As a church, nobody should be more loving and compassionate. Let us be at the forefront in terms of expressing love, compassion and outreach. Let’s not have families exclude or be disrespectful of those who choose a different lifestyle as a result of their feelings about their own gender.”

Mormons Building Bridges does just that... they provide a place for LGBT Mormons, and their families and friends, to feel safe and welcomed. They help those members who experience "same-sex attraction" to know that they are loved and welcomed in their congregations.

How is there anything wrong with extending a hand of Christ-like love to those who need it?

I always find it interesting to hear from gays that we should be "extending a hand of Christ-like love" to them, as if we don't already as much as we can. The problem is that we are missionary-minded and we want them to repent and put aside their sinful life-style to truly come unto Christ. As soon as we do that, the "hand" we extended is bitten off and we are excoriated. The gulf between us is immense. We cannot move to accept your life-style, or justify it. Only you can move.

While I agree with the ideal of extending Christ-like love, such thoughts seem to be ever informed by the words of Jesus - "If ye love me, keep my commandments". I don't know of any way to administer love absent the obedience that the Savior requires. A few additional reflections on the obedience requirement.